The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo, Vol 1 (of 2) Written by Himself Containing a True and Full Account of the Discovery and Conquest of Mexico and New Spain.

Bernal Diaz sailed to the new world with CortÉs, where in less than two years they managed to defeat the Aztec empire. 40 years later Diaz tells the story of the great expedition, exploring the challenges faced and tactics employed by CortÉs, the clashing of cultures, and the exploitation of the natives. La Historia verdadera de la conquista de la Nueva EspaÑa is, if not entirely reliable, still an important work of literature. It chronicles, as Todorov says, "the most amazing event in our history. In the 'discovery' of other continents and other men there is a real feeling of radical strangeness." This edition is based on the Guatemalan manuscript.